Donovan says 'strong possibility' Bulls' Williams could return this year
Bulls coach Billy Donovan spent some time before Sunday's game against Philadelphia dreaming about his team being back at full strength before the end of the regular season, a vision that includes forward Patrick Williams.
"I think there's a possibility, absolutely," Donovan said. "I feel pretty good about the way he's been progressing, from what I've heard. Exactly where Patrick is, because it was such a devastating injury, (is uncertain). But I think there's a very strong possibility if he continues to progress that he could be back before the regular season ends."
Williams has been out since he fell hard on his left wrist after a flagrant foul by New York's Mitchell Robinson on Oct. 28. After surgery to repair a torn ligament, the Bulls said Williams was projected to miss the rest of the regular season.
Donovan pointed out that one positive within all the injuries is Williams, Alex Caruso (broken wrist) and Derrick Jones Jr. (broken finger) have been able to do conditioning. Williams has had use of his shooting hand the entire time.
"Lonzo (Ball), he just got off crutches the other day (after arthroscopic knee surgery)," Donovan said. "Patrick has done well, he's actually done a lot more conditioning. So I would say they're all on target. There's been no setbacks or I haven't heard anything. There may be an opportunity, if everything kind of falls right, that maybe 10, 12, 14 games left in the year, maybe we could have our whole team back."
Of course, Donovan understands by the time the Bulls get to that point, there could be new injuries or a some new strain of COVID messing with the lineup.
"As much as you are hopeful you're going to be whole at some point in time during the year, you just don't know what could potentially happen," he said.
Trade talk quiet:
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, and while the Bulls' management team of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley are surely exploring moves that could make the team better, coach Billy Donovan doesn't think the hot stove has heated up just yet.
"The one thing I respect and appreciate about Arturas is when there's stuff that's really going on that he needs to talk to me about, we end up having those conversations," Donovan said. "That has not taken place at all.
"I know he and his staff have been in a lot and they're working and doing what they need to do. But it's just allowed me to focus on our team and with the condensed schedule and a lot of guys being out, there's been a lot to manage."
Donovan continued to say the front office likes the roster as it stands, as well as the team chemistry. The most mentioned has the Bulls looking at Boston guard Dennis Schroder, who played for Donovan in Oklahoma City, possibly for Troy Brown Jr. There also could be a robust buyout market once the deadline passes, with power forwards like Paul Millsap or Robert Covington maybe becoming available.
Injury report:
Zach LaVine (back spasms) and Coby White (adductor strain) both missed their second games with injuries Sunday. Philadelphia was without defensive stopper Matisse Thybulle (shoulder)